Mayor William Flanagan today said he requested the state Department of Public Health to allow city police officers to carry Narcan spray, which stops opioid overdoses.

Brian Fraga Herald News Staff Reporter @BfragaHN

FALL RIVER — Mayor William Flanagan today said he requested the state Department of Public Health to allow city police officers to carry Narcan spray, which stops opioid overdoses.

Calling drug overdoses an important public health issue, Flanagan said he was looking to take a "proactive, lifesaving approach. "

"Opioid overdoses can affect anyone from a child who gets into his parents' medicine cabinet, to a senior citizen who takes too much of their medication," Flanagan said.

If approved, Fall River police officers could be equipped with Narcan in the next three to four weeks. Flanagan said the police department would need to draft policies and procedures and then train its officers.

"Given the fact that our police department is often our first responders, they should be trained in the use of Narcan," Flanagan said.